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Friday, June 14, 2013

Summer Avocado, Cucumber, and Olive Salad | Farmers' Market Days

Saturday mornings during the summer months are reserved for a round of the Farmer's Market!! Its fun to walk around the square, looking for fresh local produce, munching on a bakery item while sipping coffee. Farmer's Markets are truly a family affair around here. Farming families selling their wares and city families hunting for salad greens, honey, maple syrup, and cheese.

The first time I visited the Market I was both surprised and delighted at its size and the variety of goods available. I remember seeing for the first time the Amish shops selling the most amazing looking baked goodies from fresh fruit pies to breads and chocolates. The doughnut seller with countless different glazed home made doughnuts, and the varieties of cheese - from goat's cheese to blue cheese all made locally within a 100 mile radius. But what excited me most were the fresh vegetables and leafy greens - especially the tomatoes, bell peppers, arugula, amaranth, and kale! Vegetables that are perfect for salads!!

Today's recipe is a fresh salad made partially from locally sourced produce - an avocado salad with crisp cucumbers, tomatoes,crunchy onions, and olives!! Season with lime juice, salt, pepper, and parsley and you have the perfect accompaniment for pizza, calzones, or even pasta.